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If you have children and are divorced or considering divorce, depending on the age of the child or children, one issue will be childcare and how that should be handled after the divorce is finalized.  This blog addresses the limited issue of how the courts in Southeast Michigan typically handle the issue of how summer camp costs get paid by the parents.  If you have specific questions about your own situation or need assistance with a divorce, child custody, parenting time or child support, please schedule a consultation by clicking on this link or calling (248) 608-4123.

Are Summer Camp Costs Considered Child Care Costs and Included in Child Support in Michigan?

In order to answer this question, first a basic explanation of child support and it's components is required.  In Michigan, child support is calculated using the Michigan Child Support Formula and the accompanying guidelines. According to the Michigan Child Support Formula Guidelines, child support contains four components: base child support, a health insurance supplement, ordinary medical costs supplement and childcare supplement.  The base child support is calculated using the parent's incomes and the number of overnights each parent has with the child in a year.  The health insurance supplement reimburses the parent that pays for the health insurance premiums for the child, the ordinary medical costs supplement is to reimburse the parent that pays for out-of-pocket health care costs for  the child that are not covered by insurance, such as deductibles, and the childcare supplement is for childcare that is required when either of the parents is working.

The childcare supplement is basically calculated by adding both parent's incomes together and then determining what percent of that total is earned by each party.  The childcare expenses are then shared by the parents based upon that percent.   So if each parent earns $100,000 then each parent would be responsible for 50% of childcare expenses.  When it comes to summer camps, most courts in Michigan and certainly the courts in Oakland and Macomb Counties, consider camps to be a substitute for childcare.  This means that the parent's should share the costs of the summer camp using the same percentages as they would for other childcare.  It is best to get an agreement in writing, e-mail is sufficient, from the other parent before enrolling the child in the summer camp.  If an agreement is not forthcoming, then you should file a motion and request that the judge order that you can enroll the child in the camp or camps and that the other parent will pay their share within a set number of days or weeks.

If you need help filing a motion to enroll your child or children in summer camps because the other parent is withholding consent or refusing to pay their share of the costs, or you have any other questions regarding divorce or post-divorce issues, please do not hesitate to schedule a consultation by clicking this link or calling (248) 608-4123.